By Kamsi Anayo
The operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested an Assistance Superintendent of Police (ASP) attached to Ajah Division for allegedly killing a female lawyer, Barrister Bolanle Raheem, on Christmas Day.
The Police operatives have also arrested two other police personnel on duty with the officer who shot and killed the lawyer on Christmas Day.
Spokesman of the Command, Mr. Benjamin Hundeyin, a Superintendent of Police confirmed the arrest on Monday.
Hundeyin said that the cops in custody would be transferred to the state criminal investigation department for interrogation.
According to him, the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Lagos Command, Mr Abiodun Alabi has interacted with the grieving family and the Nigerian Bar Association and has given the assurance that justice would be served on the matter.
“Unfortunate and avoidable incident that was. The ASP that shot and two others with him have since been taken into custody.
“They are to be moved to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba, for further investigations,’’ Hundeyin stated.
“Mr Alabi has given firm assurances that justice will definitely prevail,’’ Hundeyin further stated.
The Network gathered that the police police had tried to stop the deceased, her sister and four children while they were returning from a Christmas outing around 11 am.
The ASP was said to have fired a shot hitting the woman as she tried to make the U-turn under the Ajah Bridge.
The police team was said to have fled the scene immediately after the tragic incident but were later caught and detained by operatives of Ajah police division.
Meanwhile, the CP has condoled with the family of the deceased lamenting that the incident had become one too many in view of the fact that a similar incident occurred three weeks ago.
“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Abiodun Alabi, has expressed heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Barrister Bolanle Raheem who was shot dead by a police officer in Ajah on Sunday, December 25, 2022.
“On the instruction of the Commissioner of Police, the errant officer has since been taken into custody alongside his team members. The CP has equally directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba for in-depth investigation.
“This has become one too many, especially bearing in mind that a similar incident occurred at the same location less than three weeks ago. The condemnable incident is against the standard operating procedures (SOP) and rules of engagement of the Force, and to say the least is embarrassing.
“Beyond this incident, the Nigeria Police Force will carry out a reappraisal of its rules of engagement in a bid to put an end to such avoidable ugly incidents.”
